MY DADDY IS THE PRINCE OF PEACE

"Peace I leave with you; My [perfect] peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be afraid. [Let My perfect peace calm you in every circumstance and give you courage and strength for every challenge.]"-John 14:27 (AMP)

A train was traveling through the night in a very violent rainstorm, the lightening flashes were almost blinding, the rain hitting the windows was deafening and the strong winds rocked the train from side to side. When the lightening flashed and lighted up the darkness, the passengers could see the rising water along the tracks. This created terror in the minds of the passengers. Several passengers noted that through all the noise, lightening and wind, one of the passengers, a little girl, seemed to be at perfect peace. The adult passengers couldn’t figure out why the little girl was so calm during all these commotions. Finally, one passenger asked her, “How is that you can be so calm when all the rest of us are so worried about what might or could happen?” The little passenger smiled and said, “My father is the engineer.”

The story above demonstrates the perfect peace that God gives unto His children even in the midst of troubled sea of life (John 16:33). It's obvious that we are living today in the age of fear. There is fear of terrorists, fear of kidnappers, fear of herdsmen attack, fear of ritual killers, fear of Boko Haram insurgency, fear of electoral/political violence, fear of cancer or other negative medical conditions etc in the world today. The deafening, strong wind of fear has pressed the torment buttons and panic alarms in the heart of many passengers in our world today. There is tension, restlessness and commotion in the atmosphere because many passengers do not know the Prince of Peace nor do they have a genuine relationship with the divine being who "engineered" the Earth. They have not obeyed or embraced the gospel of peace that the Holy Ghost mentioned in Romans 10:15.

"I’ve told you all this so that trusting me, you will be unshakable and assured, deeply at peace. In this godless world you will continue to experience difficulties. But take heart! I’ve conquered the world.” -John 16:33 (MSG)

Beloved, are you living in fear today? Jesus understands your fears and He has provided a solution. When we accept Jesus Christ as our personal Lord and Savior, He agrees to guide us through life. He helps us to overcome fear by allowing us to experience His perfect love. According to 1 John 4:18, no fear exists where His love is. Rather, perfect love gets rid of fear, because fear involves punishment. The person who lives in fear doesn't have perfect love. Therefore, I urge you to please embrace God's perfect love today by surrendering your life completely to Him. If you do, you will experience perfect peace that surpasses all understanding like that little girl in the above story.

The hymn titled "Peace in Christ" is a short but powerful song that explains how to make the Prince of Peace our daddy. Could you  please join me this beautiful Thursday morning to meditate on the lyrics of this hymn below as we trust our heavenly father to keep us in perfect peace as we navigate the stormy sea of this world to the Golden Shore in Heaven .

PEACE IN CHRIST

Drink the peace of deep contentment.
Taste the joy that all can know.
Find the life your heart is seeking.
Here in Christ it freely flows.

Refrain:
            Come to Him at any moment.
            Simple faith will draw you near.
            Trust your Lord and breathe His presence.
            Christ the Prince of Peace is here.

Bring Him all your deepest longings.
Bring Him every small concern.
Find a peace beyond all knowing.
Find a love you cannot earn.

Days and moments, years and seasons,
Life in Christ will gently grow
Ever simpler, ever deeper.
Come and trust and find it so.

Good morning and do have a blessed day.

Maranatha!

Bro. Okanlawon Taiwo

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THE ONE HUGE FAMILY REUNION

"The Master himself will give the command. Archangel thunder! God’s trumpet blast! He’ll come down from heaven and the dead in Christ will rise—they’ll go first. Then the rest of us who are still alive at the time will be caught up with them into the clouds to meet the Master. Oh, we’ll be walking on air! And then there will be one huge family reunion with the Master. So reassure one another with these words."1 Thessalonians 4:15-18 (Message) 

There is a story of an old man who was about to die. The man called his wife and children to his bedside. He hugged his wife, son and daughter, who were all devout Christians and said, “Good night, I’ll meet you in a better place.”  He had another son, however, who never obeyed the gospel. He was a good boy, but he just never saw the need to turn his life over to Christ and be baptised unto Him. While giving him a hug, his father said very sadly, “good-bye, my son, good-bye.” Having touched the young man’s heart he said, “Dad, you said good night to Mum, my brother and sister, but to me you said ‘Good-bye.’ Why is that?”. The dying man said, “Son, your mother, brother, and sister are Christians, and I know that one day we’re going to be together again in Heaven with Jesus. So to them I said, ‘Good Night.’ But you know that as much as I’ve prayed for you and pleaded with you to obey the Gospel, you never did. It's so sad to know that I will never see you again, and as much as it breaks my heart all I can say is ‘GOOD-BYE."

On the resurrection morning, Christians will be ushered into the venue of that "one huge family reunion" and they shall see their Saviour - Jesus Christ in His heavenly splendour, beauty and glory (1 Thessalonians 4:18). Faithful believers still living at that time will walk on air to meet Jesus, while those who had gone ahead will rise triumphantly from their sleep and converge at the golden shore for that "one huge family reunion". And like the man in the above story, many people will be so glad to meet and embrace their loved ones who also made it to the golden shore.

Can you imagine how glorious that day will be?  Will you be at that "one huge family reunion" in Heaven? Are there some people who you are eagerly looking forward to see at that "one huge family reunion"? Are there people around you today that may not make it to the golden shore because they have not obeyed the gospel? Why not prayerfully reach out to them this week with the gospel of Jesus? Attending that "one huge family reunion" is the best thing that can ever happen to anyone. Why not accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour today so that you will be among those that will be adored in white glorious apparel on that beautiful resurrection morning.

One special old time song which encourage Christians to look forward to attending that "one huge family reunion" is the hymn titled "Meet Me There! ". This wonderful hymn was composed by the reknown hymnist - Fanny J. Crosby in 1885. May I urge you to please  make the lyrics of this wonderful hymn your watch word till Jesus returns to take us home for the family reunion never to part no more.

MEET ME THERE!

On the happy, golden shore,
Where the faithful part no more,
When the storms of life are o’er,
Meet me there;
Where the night dissolves away
Into pure and perfect day,
I am going home to stay—
Meet me there.

Refrain:
        Meet me there, meet me there,
        Where the tree of life is blooming,
        Meet me there;
        When the storms of life are o’er,
        On the happy golden shore,
        Where the faithful part no more,
        Meet me there.

Here our fondest hopes are vain,
Dearest links are rent in twain,
But in Heav’n no throb of pain—
Meet me there;
By the river sparkling bright
In the city of delight,
Where our faith is lost in sight,
Meet me there.

Where the harps of angels ring,
And the blest forever sing,
In the palace of the King,
Meet me there;
Where in sweet communion blend
Heart with heart and friend with friend,
In a world that ne’er shall end,
Meet me there.

Will you meet me there? Will I meet you there? Will you meet your parents, children, spouse, siblings, Pastors, friends and colleagues there? May God's grace keep us undefiled till we reach the golden shore in Jesus name. Amen

May I use this opportunity to say "Good night" to our sweet mummy- Mrs Theresa Oluwafunmilayo SONOLA (1938 - 2018) and Pa Stephen Aremu Adeniyi ADEKEYE (1928 - 2018). We shall meet to part no more on that beautiful shore in Heaven. Beloved mum and dad, we love you but God loves you more. Continue to rest in the bossom of your Lord and Saviour. E sun re oo. To my dear friends -  Achiever Tony Sonola (G.A.S) and Pastor Adebayo Adekeye , please don't sorrow as your mum and dad only sleeps in Christ but for a short moment and then they will rise with Him to everlasting glory. Asiri abo o. Omo rere a gbehin gbogbo wa o ni oruko nla jesu. 

Good morning and do have a blessed day.

Maranatha!

Bro. Okanlawon Taiwo

For more articles, please visit - http:// okanlawontaiwo.blogspot.com
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THE PROFILE OF A HYPOCRITE

“It will be bad for you teachers of the law and you Pharisees! You are hypocrites! You wash clean the outside of your cups and dishes. But inside they are full of what you got by cheating others and pleasing yourselves. Pharisees, you are blind! First make the inside of the cup clean and good. Then the outside of the cup will also be clean.  It is the same with you. People look at you and think you are godly. But on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and evil". Matthew 23:25-26, 28  (ERV)

Our Lord Jesus Christ is ever committed to rebuking hypocrites among his people. Who is a hypocrite? A hypocrite is simply a person who wears mask or hides behind a mask. A person who falsely professes to be something that they are not. A person who puts on a false appearance of virtue or religion or a person who acts in contradiction to his or her stated beliefs or feelings (Webster dictionary). A pretender - someone who attempts to live two lives simultaneously. If there were hypocrites in church during Jesus time, I'm sure we still have many of them around today. Then the question is: are you a hypocrite? Before you respond to that question, I urge you to please read the peom below carefully. The peom was composed by an English professor and Pastor's wife - Mrs L. B. Eades (1920 - 2011)

IF JESUS CAME TO YOUR HOUSE

If Jesus came to your house
To spend some time with you,
If He came unexpected,
I wonder what you’d do.

Oh, I know you’d give your nicest room
To such an honored guest
And all the food you’d give to Him
Would be the very best.

And you would keep assuring Him
You’re glad to have Him there–
That serving Him in your home
Is joy beyond compare.

But when you saw Him coming,
Would you meet Him at the door
With arms outstretched in welcome
To your heavenly visitor?

Or would you have to change your clothes
Before you let Him in
Or hide some magazines
And put the Bible where they’d been

Would you hide your worldly music
and put some hymn books out?
Could you let Jesus walk right
in, or would you rush about?

And I wonder – if the Saviour
spent a day or two with you,
Would you go right on doing, the
things you always do?

Would you go right on saying, the
things you always say?
Or would life for you continue
as it does from day to day?

Would you take Jesus with you
everywhere you go?
Or would you maybe change your
plans for just a day or so?

Would you be glad to have Him
meet your closest friends?
Or would you hope they stay away,
until His visit ends?

Would you be glad to have Him
stay forever on and on?
Or would you sigh with great
relief when He at last was gone?

It might be interesting to know,
the things that you would do,
If Jesus came in person, to spend
some time with you."

Beloved, may I urge you to please remove your mask today and be real with God. Yes, stop the pretense and submit totally to Jesus Christ. Delay may be dangerous.

Good morning and do have a blessed day.

Maranatha!

Bro. Okanlawon Taiwo

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HONORARY FISHERMEN, PLEASE LEAVE THE DOCK

"Jesus said to them, “Come with me. I’ll make a new kind of fisherman out of you. I’ll show you how to catch men and women instead of perch and bass.” They didn’t ask questions, but simply dropped their nets and followed" - Matthew 4:19-20 (MSG)

There lived a man who had all that anyone needed to be a successful fisherman. The man had poles, nets, bait, hooks and a really nice boat. He was highly respected by everyone around because of the depth of his knowlegde. But despite all the things that he had, this fisherman still had a problem. The problem was, he had never caught any fish. And this was because he never went fishing. He had all the knowledge and all the equipment but he never got into the boat, he never left the dock. The man was an honorary fisherman with many impressive laurels and titles but has no fish in his boat.

"Then Jesus said to them, ‘Go to all people everywhere in the world. Tell God's good news to everyone. The disciples went out everywhere. They told people God's good news. "- Mark 16:15 (EASY)

There are many honorary fishermen in the kingdom today. They are fishermen by words, titles or positions but not by deed or action. They know so many things about fishing yet have never stepped into their boats to go fishing. Unknowingly, they have traded off their precious eternal and earthly fishermen's rewards for the temporary gratifications at the dock of life. What a big error! They have become so entangled with the frivolities of life to the extent that the valedictory message of our Ressurrected Lord, Jesus Christ in Mark 16: 15 does not really make any sense to them again. They have allowed their lucrative jobs, personal agendas, pursuit of success, qualifications, titles and positions to tie them down to the dock of life. They have now become extremely busy or rather too big to leave the dock and step into the boat for a catch. They have won many laurels and people even introduce them with wonderful titles like Ministers, Deacon, Deaconess, Pastor, Prophet, Bishop, Apostle etc but as far as God is concerned, they are a bunch of "Honorary Fishermen" occupying space in His Kingdom.

Hope God will not be disappointed with you and I whenever He comes to inspect our boat on the last day! What excuse are we really going to give God for living like honorary fishermen in His kingdom? Could that excuse make God change His verdict in Ezekiel 33:6 about every believer (honorary fisherman) who refused to leave the dock? If Jesus comes to inspect our boat today, how many people's blood will he require from our hands?

My dear honorary fishermen, where would you have been today if Jesus Christ was an honorary fisherman like you? Remember the death and resurrection story would not have been possible if our Saviour had not left the dock of Heaven in search of small fishes like you and I. Then, what are you still doing in the dock? Why not leave your dock today? Why not leave the dock of your church, community and go into where the fishes are hiding from the hooks of Salvation? If Jesus could leave his own comfort zone and familiar terrain in Heaven above with his nets and boat, you and I should be able do much more in this generation by His grace.

The refrain of an old time Christian hymn, titled "Go!" summarises the valedictory sermon of Jesus Christ to His disciples after His resurrection. Please let the lyrics of this wonderful hymn below challenge you to leave the dock and go a fishing for the Saviour this Easter session. You will never regret that you did.

GO! By Paul Rader

Down from the glories of Heaven,
Down to the world of woe;
When there was no eye to pity,
Jesus said, "I will go".

Refrain:
         Go, go, go, go,
         Leave what He asks you to leave;
         Pray for your part in the harvest,
         Give what He asks you to give,

Out in the dark they are dying,
For them His life He gave;
Go, tell the lost of salvation,
Give them a chance to live.

"Uttermost part" is His order,
Dare any answer no?
What will you do when you meet Him,
If you refuse to go?

As we celebrate Easter this year, my prayer is that God will help us to be true fishermen, who will never say "no" to Him for every opportunity we have to go and let down our nets for a catch. May we finish strong and well with our boats full of fishes for God in Jesus name.

May I use this opportunity to invite you to the April 2019 Let's Go A Fishing Program of the Redeemed Christian Church Of God, Victory Chapel Zone, LP 38. Date: Friday, April 19th, 2019 to Saturday 20th, 2019. Theme: There Is Hope.  Time: 5pm daily. Venue: 15/16 Odemuyiwa Street, Seliat Bustop, Idimu Road, Egbeda, Lagos, Nigeria.  Ministering: Pastor Adewale Adesola and other anointed Ministers of God.

Good day and wishing you a glorious Easter celebration in advance.

Maranatha!

Bro. Okanlawon Taiwo

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